Sharif says PML-N will never support any dictator

Lahore: Amidst mounting speculation about a
change of government in Pakistan, main opposition PML-N chief
Nawaz Sharif today made it clear that his party will not help
"any dictator" in toppling the civilian administration.

The two-time former Premier also sought registration of a
`treason` case against ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who
is currently based abroad.

"Let me make it clear that we will not support any
dictator for a change of the government or go in for
horse-trading to install a new set-up.

"But at the same time I want to tell the government that
my party will not support corruption in the name of
democracy," Sharif told a news conference here.

He insisted that the Pakistan People`s Party-led
government at the centre will have to accept the Supreme
Court`s orders.

"We are with the Supreme Court and not with the
government. All those who benefited from the National
Reconciliation Ordinance (a graft amnesty issued by Musharraf
in 2007) must resign immediately. If they refuse, then they
must be shown the door," he said.

Sharif`s remarks came against the backdrop of renewed
efforts by the apex court to enforce its verdict scrapping the
NRO that also benefited PPP chief and President Asif Ali
Zardari and thousands of others.

Though the Supreme Court struck down the NRO last year,
the government has refused to reopen graft cases in
Switzerland against Zardari, saying he enjoys immunity from
prosecution by virtue of being President.

Several of Zardari`s close aides, including Interior
Minister Rehman Malik and other government functionaries,
benefited from the controversial NRO that was promulgated by
Musharraf as part of a secret understanding with the PPP.

Sharif claimed that the PPP-led government had helped
Musharraf flee the country and demanded the registration of a
treason case against the former dictator.

Sharif alleged that Musharraf was also guilty of handing
over Pakistani national Aafia Siddiqui to the US.

An American court yesterday sentenced Siddiqui to 86
years in prison for attacking US military personnel in
Afghanistan.